The Executive Master in Development Policies and Practices (DPP) honored new graduates in its Second Session of 2015, joined by international dignitaries in a formal Graduation Ceremony at Maison de la Paix (event photos).  Thirty-seven new alumni (15 women and 22 men from 16 unique countries) were honored with their new diploma and now join the ranks of the Institute's alumni community.

Formally, the ceremony was opened by Dr. Sophie Huber, Executive Director of Executive Education, and remarks were given by His Excellency Dr. Nangyalai Tarzi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UNOG of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, whose Ministry of Finance has sponsored DPP participants from the country for the second consecutive year.

A keynote address given by Ms. Sally Fegan-Wyles, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Acting Head and Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), longstanding partner of the Institute for the initiative with the Afghan cohort, provided her insights and perspecitves on the Emerging Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Several other dignitaries were in attendance to celebrate with graduates from their organisations or countries included Mr. Markus Glatz, Deputy Head of Staff, Regional Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (which provides significant annual funding support for the programme), Mr. Irfan Mahmood Bokhari, Second Secretary of the Mission of Pakistan, and Mr. Than Tun Win, Third Secretary of the Mission of Myanmar, among many others.

Dr. Alexandre Dormeier Freire, Program Director for the Executive Master DPP, noted that while 2015 will see 75 new graduates of the Executive Master DPP, programmes like this must be vigilant about securing their future, both in terms of funding support and in demonstrating and communicating their impact.  "The DPP is a unique training program, yet facing its own set of challenges. And I would like to share with you one of my current concerns," he said.  "It is unfortunately quite common these days to hear people questioning the effects of training and education, with the argument that the effects are not so visible, and such individuals are challenging the expenses allocated for education."  Dr. Freire referred to the growing trend among governments and companies worldwide to cut back on training budgets during challenging financial seasons.

"The education effects may appear to these people as being trivial and intangible, compared to the amount of issues and scale of problems we have to solve in our world," continued Freire.  He offered a direct challenge to such naysayers on a day celebrating the achievements and new aspirations of dozens of individuals dedicated to making an impact.  "When I look at you all here tonight, I have a different opinion:  I do believe that with a bit more of knowledge, with new relationships across continents and with improved skills, you are better equipped to make a difference in your communities -- to make a difference where you work -- and to simply make a difference where you live."

Following the ceremony, a reception with graduates (see photos) allowed for final exchanges between the participants, who each now return to their home region, to continue their professional journeys and contribute to ongoing work in their respective fields and organisations.

Since its inception, the Executive Master DPP has been dedicated to this mission for making a difference, training leaders across sectors, nationalities and regions, building a global community of practice that now has its own diaspora of alumni.  This ceremony followed the previous graduation ceremony in January 2015 for the programme's first Swiss Session in 2015.

The Executive Master DPP admits participants each year from across the global South and East, with cohorts in Latin America, Africa, Central and SouthEast Asia.  It operates with the generous and critical annual support of the SDC, the Republic and Canton of Geneva and several other private foundations.

Applications for 2015 are open until 31 March 2015.

More information on the DPP programme page.